This short trip at the beginning of winter was exactly what I needed. Despite the cold windy weather, I found the city actually warm, cozy and surprisingly sunny. Dublin was colorful and so beautifully decorated for Christmas. Plus, the Irish were friendly and musical – live music, carols choirs and streets singers were everywhere. I read this is how Ed Sheeran started.
Mix of historical sights
My itinerary started walking by the water, near the new Financial district, before crossing the O’Connell Bridge into the cobbled stone alleys of the city center, until main Grafton Street and Molly Malone statue. One of the first cultural aspects I noticed is how all signs are bilingual in both Irish Gaelic and English. In green signs, obviously. Even Dublin is called Baile Átha Cliath in Irish, showing the complex history of this country.
Next, I had booked a ticket to visit the Long Room Library in the Old library of Trinity College Dublin campus (19€). In Ireland’s oldest university is one of the most impressive libraries in the world, that turned out to be my highlight on day 1. The Long Room houses 200,000 oldest books in the dark oak shelves of the library, including The Book of Kells (a 9th-century gospel manuscript). Not many books are on display at the moment since there is an ongoing conservation project in order to protect them.
Read also – Before Christmas in Bucharest
However, stepping in the Old Library, I was not expecting to see in the Long Room also the Gaia art installation by artist Luke Jerran, showing an impressive luminous image of Earth. In Greek mythology, Gaia is the personification of Earth. As I also read on the university website afterwards that “the installation features NASA imagery of the Earth’s surface, showcasing the planet floating in three dimensions as it might be viewed from space.”
For other sights a little detour towards the south of the city center had to be done in order to see St Patrick’s Cathedral. The Courtyard of the Dublin Castle in the heart of Dublin was actually my last stop and is currently hosting a “Christmas market at the castle”. And of course, the Guinness Storehouse must be mentioned since is an iconic brand of Ireland, synonym with the traditional Irish pub culture.
Dublin food stories
Thinking about Irish food, the first that comes to mind is the traditional Irish soda bread. According to BBC Good Food, “every family in Ireland has its own recipe for soda bread.” Followed by the Irish Stew, the Dublin Coddle and boxty, the potato pancakes. There is plenty of sea food and fish, thanks to the Atlantic. Plus colcannon (mached patatoes with cabbage), eaten on St Patrick’s day. Some used to be simple dishes consumed by the working class, but now a few chefs brought them to a modern level.
For restaurants I did not researched well where to eat, so before the trip I rewatched the episode of Somebody feed Phil filmed in Dublin, so I’ll have what Phil is having.
My first stop in Dublin was to Boxty House, created by Chef Pádraic Óg Gallagher, at the address: 20-21 Temple Bar. I had the Irish breakfast to try this boxty, sausages, Black & White Pudding, plus two fried eggs, roasted tomatoes and mushrooms. In the second morning, I had a sweeter breakfast – the Irish scone with Irish butter and jam, next to fruits and coffee. Best of both worlds.
Stay
Lastly, I have to say I liked traveling to Dublin more than I imagined I would. For my first visit in Ireland, I enjoyed staying at The Dean Dublin, a great boutique hotel, just a short walk from St. Stephen’s Green park.
Designed by the team behind U2’s Clarence hotel, this retro chic The Dean hotel is offering pod rooms in a beautiful Townhouse in Georgian styles. Including rooftop restaurant Sophie’s and a wellness club, with Irish munchies as Atlantic Sea Salt & Cider Vinegar Potato Chips. Plus green clover lucky souvenirs and clichés to go.
Travel Journal 
Dublin seems like such a nice city and I know I will love to visit one day! The library at Trinity College seems stunning, and I’m sure the Gaia installation makes it even more amazing. Thanks for sharing!
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Juliette, thank you also for reading. Indeed, the library and the installation was a must see. I would like to return also in warmer weather and see more of Ireland outside the capital, I think so many sights are beautiful
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